Digital transformation and social equity: Bridging the gap in post-pandemic societies

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated global digital transformation while simultaneously exposing deep-rooted social inequalities. This study investigates how post-pandemic digital transformation initiatives can reduce rather than reinforce social inequities. Using a mixed-methods design, the research integrates a comparative analysis of 45 countries, a systematic review of 340 policy documents, and semi-structured interviews with 127 stakeholders involved in digital inclusion initiatives. The findings identify three pathways through which digital transformation influences social equity: disparities in digital access, unequal digital skills development, and imbalanced participation in digital governance. Countries employing comprehensive Digital Equity Frameworks achieved notably stronger improvements in reducing inequality reflected in a 0.08 decrease in Gini coefficients compared to infrastructure-only or innovation-driven approaches. Based on empirical evidence, the study proposes the Inclusive Digital Transformation Model (IDTM), consisting of four pillars: equitable access, inclusive design, participatory governance, and sustainable impact measurement. Policy recommendations highlight the need for rights-based digital access, multi-sector coordination, and community-centered implementation. Overall, the study demonstrates that post-pandemic digital transformation represents a critical opportunity to advance social equity if guided by intentional, inclusive, and context-sensitive strategies.